Bernard Wilkinson

Bernard Astor Wilkinson, son of D. Moody Wilkinson and Dora Harry Wilkinson, passed away on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. He was born on April 11, 1913 in Bluefield, West Virginia and lived there for eighty-three years. He owned East River Insurance Agency. He was very active in his community and church. He served as the Leader in the Elks and Lions organizations. He was a member of the Mercer County Commissioners. He was State President of the Gideon (Bible) Association. He was a Sunday school teacher, church and district Lay Leader at Grace Methodist Church, and he was a Certified Lay Speaker. He was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, a sister, and his grandson, Scott McNeer. He is survived by his wife of 78 years, Edith Taylor Wilkinson; two daughters, Betty Bourne (husband Jack), and Nancy McNeer (husband Jim); three grandchildren, Jody Bourne (wife Chrissy), Dave Bourne (wife Vicky), and Amanda McNeer; 7 great-grandchildren, Jessica, Hannah, Ben, Morgan, and Sloan Bourne, Megan and Matthew McNeer; and numerous nephews and nieces. Nancy McNeer moved her parents to Colonial Heights seventeen years ago for easier living space and better access to medical needs. While here, Bernard and Edith enjoyed singing with the Southernaires, attending church at Highland and Wesley United Methodist, and being involved with Richard Bland College events. Bernard loved playing golf with the Senior League. No finer man ever lived; he was a gentleman in every way - so loving and so loved. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2013 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 31, 2013 at Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory, 1231 W. Cumberland Road, Bluefield, West Virginia 24701. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Park Cemetery outside of Bluefield, West Virginia. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the J. Scott McNeer Scholarship Fund at Richard Bland College, 11301 Johnson Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805, or to The Bluefield Union Mission, P.O. Box #4056, Bluefield, West Virginia, 24701. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.